MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Boeing delivers 4 test helicopters to U.S. Air Force to help replace aging fleet

Aug 26, 2022, 1:21 PM

(Fred Troilo/Boeing)...

(Fred Troilo/Boeing)

(Fred Troilo/Boeing)

Boeing has delivered four of its MH-139A Grey Wolf test helicopters to the U.S. Air Force as the service replaces its aging UH-1N helicopters, the aerospace company announced Thursday.

The Federal Aviation Administration has certified the Grey Wolf to start military utility testing.

Follow this link to read additional stories from KIRO 7

The aircraft will protect intercontinental ballistic missiles and support other Air Force commands, according to a news release.

Boeing was awarded a $2.4 billion contract in September 2018 for 80 helicopters, training systems and other support equipment.

“The Grey Wolf is a modern, versatile aircraft offering greater range, speed and endurance than the UH-1N Huey it replaces,” said Mark Cherry, vice president and general manager of Boeing Vertical Lift. “I am proud of our team who, along with our partner Leonardo, helped us to achieve this milestone – a tremendous first step in a long line of Grey Wolf deliveries.”

Leonardo is the company that builds the helicopters in northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Boeing handles military equipment procurement and installation, and offers post-delivery support of the helicopters.

In this YouTube video from 2017, Boeing describes some of the capabilities and features of the aircraft.



MyNorthwest News

helicopter pilot utah wildfire...

JOSH FUNK, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pilots of helicopter that crashed while fighting wildfire in Utah are dead, officials say

Two helicopter pilots who crashed while they were fighting a wildfire in Utah are dead, officials confirmed Saturday.

17 hours ago

wells road fire whitman county evacuations...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Wells Road Fire burns more than 1,000 acres in Whitman County; GO NOW evacuations ordered

Level 3 GO NOW Evacuations are in place in Whitman County as the Wells Road Fire burns an estimated 1,000 acres as of Saturday evening.

17 hours ago

Bite of Seattle shooting gang katie wilson...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘Can we change the narrative?’: King County prosecutor pushes to tighten WA’s juvenile gun law amid Bite of Seattle fallout

King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion is pushing to tighten Washington's juvenile gun laws amid fallout from a shooting at the Bite of Seattle.

19 hours ago

The Three Queens Fire near Snoqualmie Pass and Kachess Lake increased to more than 800 acres this w...

Tom Brock

Racing the Flames: Fast-growing wildfire forces evacuations near Snoqualmie Pass & Kachess Lake

A lightning-caused wildfire six miles west of Snoqualmie Pass is growing and threatening cabins at the north end of Kachess Lake.

1 day ago

The tiny eyes of about 20 cats are focused on a Tacoma police officer as he snaps a shot of them on...

Tom Brock

How 30+ cats survived on an abandoned Tacoma boat

Officers say they responded after receiving reports from people who spotted a lot of cats on a sailboat anchored just off Owen Beach, on the northern tip of Point Defiance Park

2 days ago

mount rainier white river sunrise wildfire...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Sunrise and White River entrance at Mount Rainier closed due to wildfire

The White River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park is closed until further notice due to a fire in the park.

2 days ago

Boeing delivers 4 test helicopters to U.S. Air Force to help replace aging fleet